Valerius Valens
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| Valerius Valens | |
| Emperor of Roman Empire | |
| Reign | December 316 - March 1, 317 (co-emperor with Licinius) |
|---|---|
| Full name | Aurelius Valerius Valens |
| Died | After March 1, 317 |
Aurelius Valerius Valens (d. 317) was Roman emperor from December 316 to March 1, 317. Valens had previously been dux limitis in Dacia, but this is all we know of him, due to the brevity of his reign. Nevertheless, during the short interlude in which Valens was emperor, coinage was struck for him by the Licinian-controlled mints of Cyzicus and Alexandria.
In the first civil war between Licinius and Constantine I a truce had been made on October 8, 314. However, early in December 316, knowing the truce would not last much longer, Licinius appointed Valens as co-emperor to show Constantine he had lost patience with him.
After Licinius's defeat at Campus Ardiensis on March 1, 317,Constantine was in the dominant position from which he was able to force Licinius to recognize him as the senior emperor, and also depose Valens, which happened sometime later. Whether it was part of the agreement is unknown, but Licinius not only deposed Valens, but also had him executed.
Licinius would use the same trick (with just as little success) in the second civil war with Constantine by appointing Martinianus co-emperor.
Coinage struck in the name of Valerius Valens is of the highest rarity. Recent study of the handful of examples in existence reveals that both officinas at Alexandria, and likely all eight at Cyzicus, produced issues for Valens.
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| Preceded by Licinius |
Roman Emperor 316-317 with Licinius (316-317) |
Succeeded by Licinius |
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